Higher bars or rear sets?

Flatspot · May 26, 2020

I have been putting my 74 Interstate back on the road, and have had a couple of brief rides so far while trying to eliminate some teething problems. I’ve still got a couple to sort out.

yesterday, on a longer run, although only about 50 miles, I finally decided I hate the riding position. The footrests are too far forwards for my liking and I get a real pain in my thighs. So bad, that the final 12 miles or so I found relief with my feet back on the pillion rests ( like we used to do all those years ago)

I really don’t want to go down the rear set route as I’m only wanting to go out for a pootle around the moors locally, and rearsets seem a bit too extreme for me. So how about a taller set of bars? If you see my picture, the raise on these is approximately 4 inches, the master cylinder is almost touching the top yoke. What is the next viable option of a higher bar - no! I do not want hi-riders

Is the western bar suitable? I’ll need a longer brake hose I know, but I can get one made locally readily. My assumption is, the higher the bar, the more likely I’ll sit back and the pegs maybe better located. Thoughts?

gortnipper · May 26, 2020

I dont think most of the available rear sets are too extreme positioned, especially the ones that mount through the rear of the three footpeg mounting holes in the z-plate. With those and UK bars, I have comfortably ridden 1500 miles in a few days.

The NYN rearsets mount an inch or so higher and back from that, so those may not work.

If you are comfortable riding with you feet on the pillion pegs, I think you would enjoy rear sets. And the handling will be better than with higher bars and a foot forward position.

Your bars are pretty narrow.

storm42 · May 26, 2020

I have had my Interstate 46 years and back in the day I had to run rear sets to make it feel right. The bike has been through various guises including proddy racer but now it is back to being an Interstate. There are 2 styles of westerns, one set a little narrower, I fitted the wider ones and they felt very wide, in fact gaps in traffic suddenly can look a bit tight, I have thought about fitting the others but I have got used to the wide ones and find the bike comfy to ride, not a back lane scratcher though.

robs ss · May 26, 2020

I have been contemplating something similar (prodded by Fast Eddie!) to improve my "feel" on the beast.
Was (still am) looking at "medium" rear sets - has problems with how to keep the kickstart operable - haven't given up yet.
Changing the position of your hands is another avenue, via bar changes, although I'm a bit wary of turning myself into a windsock!
If you're going to experiment please keep us informed - for, although the issue is almost certainly very subjective, I'm very interested.
Cheers
Rob

gortnipper · May 26, 2020

robs ss said:
Was (still am) looking at "medium" rear sets - has problems with how to keep the kickstart operable

What do you mean? Usually the rearset peg on that side simply folds up and out of the way. A lot of them can use the stock kicker.

cliffa · May 26, 2020

I have the AN "Semi-Western" bars (06.1046) on mine which do make the riding position a little better. You can see them on the bike here..

Cheers,

cliffa.

Flatspot · May 26, 2020

@gortnipper - yes, these bars are very narrow. Barely wide enough to fit all the controls on it seems.

cliffa · May 26, 2020

Fitting higher & wider bars fixed two issues I had with the bars like you have. Firstly I was able to rotate the M/cyl further around the bars to get the lever into a more ergonomic position without fouling the revcounter or the bend in the bars and secondly (and I know this may sound a bit wierd) but I find all the standard grips are too short, and I don't think I have massive hands. So with these I was able to install some vintage John Bull pattern 6" grips. I think you can see them in that picture. I find them much more comfortable.

Cheers,

cliffa.

robs ss · May 26, 2020

gortnipper said:
What do you mean? Usually the rearset peg on that side simply folds up and out of the way. A lot of them can use the stock kicker.

What I mean is that the "ideal" peg position for me seems to be immediately outside the kickstart shaft. Folding won't help in that scenario.

Fast Eddie · May 26, 2020

These were fitted to my ’74 Commando when I bought it 7 years ago. I like them so much I fitted them to my T140. I’m not sure, but I think they’re the same ones Cliffa shows above.

IMHO Commondo‘s, like T140s need EITHER rearsets to suit low bars OR these kind of western bars to suit the rather forward stock footrests.

Which combo depends on the intended use I believe, if it’s a high speed / long distance intercontinental mile eater, then lower bars and rearsets might be best. If it’s more of a B Road fun bike, then the western bars make a lot of sense.

All only IMHO of course...

gortnipper · May 26, 2020

robs ss said:
What I mean is that the "ideal" peg position for me seems to be immediately outside the kickstart shaft. Folding won't help in that scenario.

E start

gortnipper · May 26, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
if it’s a high speed / long distance intercontinental mile eater, then lower bars and rearsets might be best. If it’s more of a B Road fun bike, then the western bars make a lot of sense.

All only IMHO of course...

Coming from the US, where I have driven across the width of the country more times than I can count, I think it is the reverse from what you say.
IMHO

cliffa · May 26, 2020

Western bars look cool on the smaller tanked bikes as well.

Fast Eddie · May 26, 2020

gortnipper said:
Coming from the US, where I have driven across the width of the country more times than I can count, I think it is the reverse from what you say.
IMHO

I wouldn’t argue with that, except to emphasise in the ‘high speed‘ point. Western bars are uncomfortable above 80mph, and even at that speed they’d get tiresome after a while.

That‘s why they’re perfect on a T140 as cruising above 80mph ain’t really their thang !

trident sam · May 26, 2020

I have Triumph TR5T/BSA B50 mx bars on one of mine , standard footrests they are semi'western height and braced. They feel and look great (to me anyhow) yes, they do limit your cruising speed, but that's not so important on a tourer.

Craig · May 26, 2020

The “lazy boy” position while popular with a certain set , (high bars way forward feet) , is not a healthy way to go .... a slight forward lean into wind with feet in line with hips seems to suit me fine , my Norton still has original position foot pegs and this what limits me re:seat time on that bike , while we all have our fav position in general terms best to look after your lower back and legs by leaning some forward .... sooner or later no doubt I will move my Norton pegs back a little ....

Onder · May 26, 2020

Seems to me a lot depends on how YOU are physically. Short tall long arms short arms long legs or whatever. Nobody is going to ride one of my bikes and feel at home. I look at all bikes with high bars and they terrify me. Once drove a stroker T160 with
those stock USA bars and barely survived the ride.
...and if you are in the USA on the Interstates you will want a fairing especially once west of the Big Muddy.

Slammin · May 26, 2020

I had the same issue when I first got my 850. There were aftermarket bars on it that were so low and narrow that the tach housing had to be folded in over the headlamp just to clear the master cylinder. I purchased replacement “Euro low handlebars” (P/N 06-4123) from Baxter Cycle (along with replacement grips) that were slightly wider and further back which solved the crowding issue while improving my ergonomics.

baz · May 26, 2020

One thing to keep in mind with a commando is the footrests as standard are quite a long way forward
So when we talk of rear sets (on a commando) it's a bit different compared to many other bikes
As stated with the footrests bolted in the centre of where the three bolt footrest bracket would usually go is really not extreme

Flatspot · Jun 8, 2020

Well first decision has been made and I ordered a set of semi-western bars, a cheaper option to try things out. They arrived and have been fitted, my first reaction was how wide they are! I fitted all of the levers and a new pair of Halcyon bar end mirrors, and then slid the levers and controls in to a width I was more comfortable with and tried it out. The cables all fitted, despite going from the low Interstate bars to these bad boys. That included the brake hose, although another inch and it would have started to impede the full rebound of the forks.

it’s by far more comfortable just sitting up and back only a couple of inches and the change of position has improved matters no end. I’ll leave the levers narrowed as they are for now, and only chop them shorter once I’m fully happy where I want them to be. It’s already more useful having the mirrors well out in the breeze and no elbows in sight.

Higher bars or rear sets?

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